This year’s International Women’s Day theme, "Accelerate Action," calls for urgent and sustained efforts to advance gender equality across all spheres of life. For the legal profession, this theme resonates deeply, as the law reflects societal values and a tool for transformative change. The Institute of African Women in Law (IAWL) stands at the forefront of this movement to accelerate action for gender equality in the legal profession through the Gender Equality In Law Campaign (GELC). The third pillar of GELC - Activation - aligns with the theme for this year because it aims to accelerate action to dismantle barriers, challenge stereotypes, and empower African women in law.
Gender Equality in Law Across Africa: Is the Glass Half Full?
Despite progress in recent decades, women in Africa continue to face significant challenges in the legal profession. From underrepresentation in leadership roles to systemic biases, the path to gender equality remains fraught with obstacles. According to the women in law and leadership reports by the Institute of African Women in Law, while women in Africa have made significant strides in the legal profession—surpassing men in law school enrollment in recent times and rising to leadership roles as senior partners, managing partners, and firm founders—there is still much work to be done. Despite their remarkable success and ability to overcome challenges, systemic barriers persist. Gender equality in the legal profession is not just a matter of fairness—it is essential for building inclusive, equitable, and effective legal systems. Despite progress, women in law continue to face systemic barriers that hinder their career development. A gender equality policy emerged as the top recommendation for driving transformative change. Advocating for its creation and adoption as a crucial step forward.
IAWL’s Role in Accelerating Action
The Gender Equality in Law Model Policy, a Pan-African initiative by IAWL, is a transformative effort to address systemic gender disparities in the legal profession across Africa. Despite the critical role women play in shaping legal systems, they continue to face significant barriers in equitable hiring and promotion, equal pay for equal work, gender bias and stereotypes, and issues of sexual harassment. The Gender Equality in Law Model Policy leverages evidence-based research, stakeholder engagement, and public advocacy to drive policy reforms and institutional changes that promote gender equality and inclusivity in the legal profession. IAWL’s training hub, the Women’s Excellence in Law and Leadership Academy (WELLA), also provides training that mainstreams gender related issues toward accelerating action for gender equality within the legal profession.
The Urgency of Accelerating Action
Empowering women in law is a moral imperative and strategic necessity for building stronger, more inclusive legal systems. The theme "Accelerate Action" reflects the urgent need to address gender inequality in law. While progress has been made, the pace of change remains slow, and the stakes are high. Gender equality in the legal profession is not just a matter of fairness; it is essential for the legitimacy and effectiveness of the legal system. A diverse and inclusive legal profession is better equipped to address the complex challenges facing society and to uphold the rule of law.
A Call to Action
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let us recommit to accelerating action for gender equality in law. The Institute of African Women in Law provides a blueprint for how this can be achieved through mentorship, advocacy, research, and collaboration. We call on all institutions to adopt our Gender Equality in Law Model Policy starting with filling this form. However, the responsibility does not lie with IAWL alone. Governments, legal institutions, and individuals must also take bold steps to dismantle barriers, challenge biases, and create opportunities for women in the legal profession.
Let us join hands with IAWL and accelerate action to ensure that every woman in the legal profession has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to the advancement of justice and the rule of law in Africa. Together, we can turn the promise of gender equality in law into a reality.